Pele challenges Ronaldo to catch up with his record of 1,283 goals

"King of football" Pele challenged Cristiano Ronaldo to score as many goals as he did in his career.

Ronaldo has just surpassed Pele in the international scoring record. With a hat-trick against the Faroe Islands last weekend, CR7 now has 78 goals for the Portuguese national team. Ronaldo's achievement is one goal more than Pele's record for the Brazilian national team.

Pele said: "Of course we belong to different eras. But goals are always great in football. And this is my opportunity to congratulate Ronaldo on that victory (surpassing Pele in the international scoring record). Now Ronaldo should score more than 1,283 goals."

Pele (right) is a monument of Brazilian and world football. Photo: Reuters

One of Ronaldo's three goals for Portugal - the opener against the Faroe Islands - was a stunning volley from inside the box. Pele was delighted: "I saw that goal. It was really beautiful and special."

With 1,283 goals, Pele is currently the player with the most goals recognized by FIFA. The explosive period of the "King of Football" lasted from the late 1950s to the end of the 1960s.

Ronaldo currently has only 608 goals in his career, including 530 goals at club level and 78 goals in the international arena. To surpass Pele, the striker, who is about to turn 33, will need an extraordinary effort in the coming years./.

According to VNE